Wenger: Alexis contract saga is good for Arsenal
ARSENE WENGER has made the baffling claim that allowing players to enter the final year of their contracts is an ‘ideal situation’. Arsenal could lose more than £100million in transfer fees with seven first-team players in the final 12 months of their contracts. Alexis Sanchez, Mesut Ozil, Jack Wilshere, Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, Kieran Gibbs, Mathieu Debuchy and Santi Cazorla can all leave for nothing next summer as it stands. OxladeChamberlain was the only one of the seven to start the 2-1 defeat by Sevilla yesterday. Alexandre Lacazette’s first goal at the Emirates may have been a consolation in the game, but as the Emirates Cup awards points for each goal scored, it turned out to be the goal that clinched the trophy for Arsenal. Strikes from Joaquin Correa and Steven Nzonzi ensured Sevilla won both their games, but it was not enough to overhaul Arsenal in the table. Speaking after the match, Wenger insisted he has no problem with the uncertainty surrounding his squad. ‘It is not an issue, I think it’s an ideal situation,’ said Wenger. ‘Why? Because everyone has to perform. You perform until the last day of your contract. ‘Do you think they sit in the dressing room and think, “I have one year to go, I will not play well today”? Where does that come from? ‘Even if they run down their contracts, it doesn’t matter. It looks normal to me.’ Wenger also admitted he has been left in the dark over prized asset Sanchez’s contract saga.
Sportsmail revealed last week that talks between Arsenal and the Chilean’s advisers had broken down. Sanchez is due to fly back to London tonight before reporting for training tomorrow, and Wenger said: ‘Nobody knows if Sanchez will extend his contract.’ Sanchez and Shkodran Mustafi are set to miss Sunday’s Community Shield against Chelsea and are doubts for the league opener against Leicester on August 12. Francis Coquelin is out of the Wembley curtain-raiser with an ankle-ligament injury sustained in Saturday’s 5-2 win over Benfica.